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Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Production and delivery of the outstanding Speedback GT continues, as model benefits from a range of upgrades and improvements

Press conference will announce new state-of-the-art production facility at prestigious UK automotive location

Display: Hall 2, Stand 2142 from 9-19th March.

Coventry, England (31, January, 2017): Following a successful year that has seen David Brown Automotive continue to take orders for, and deliver, its exceptional Speedback GT, the British-based, bespoke, luxury car maker is proud to be displaying two examples of its handbuilt and significantly upgraded car for the 2017 model year. The company will be in Hall 2 on Stand 2142 at the Geneva Motor Show from 9-19th March.

David Brown Automotive’s show stand will host a public debut of the latest production specification Speedback GTs, which feature a range of detail and production upgrades. Also on display will be elements of the finely engineered, handcrafted features that go into the production of each car, including examples of hand-rolled raw aluminium body components, as well as an all-new luxury accessory range, designed in-house by David Brown Automotive and crafted by hand in Great Britain.

CEO and founder, David Brown, and Managing Director, David Sowden, will be conducting a press conference between 13:45 - 14:00 on 7th March to discuss the evolution of the car, as well as announcing the company’s new, larger, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and headquarters.

Appealing to enthusiasts looking for a bespoke, coachbuilt sports car, Speedback GT combines the style of a classic grand tourer with modern engineering, technology and conveniences. Created with traditional techniques, each limited-edition Speedback GT is commissioned by the individual and handbuilt to order, a process that requires over 8,000 man hours.

Showcasing further refinements in design and engineering, including examples of bespoke features and personalisation available, the team has made 237 developments to Speedback GT since the prototype’s launch in 2014.

Also being announced and unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show is news of the company’s new manufacturing plant and headquarters. The move from Coventry to larger premises in a prestigious location will enable an increase in production, staff and further models in the future.

“It seems like yesterday that we launched the prototype to the press and public in 2014,” said company founder David Brown. “We’ve come a long way since then, as have our vehicles, with 237 developments now incorporated into the 2017 specification Speedback GT. Our new manufacturing plant is an exciting milestone for the business, and Geneva is the perfect environment to share our MY17 Speedback GT. We have a lot of exciting plans for 2017, it looks set to be the best-ever year for us.”

This year doesn’t just have a new MY17 Speedback GT and manufacturing plant in store, but new developments at David Brown Automotive will also be the subject of further news.

Priced at £495,000 exclusive of taxes, Speedback GT promises exceptional performance and handling, hosting a 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine with 510bhp and 461ft lb of torque, hitting 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 155mph (limited), with optional power upgrades available.

·One of the most important Bentleys in existence, the ‘Bobtail’ is a two-time Factory Le Mans entrant

·Additional recent highlights include a superb private collection of rare sports cars, led by a one-of-two 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Frua Coupe Series III

·Further event information and a frequently updated list of entries available at www.rmsothebys.com

BLENHEIM, Ontario (27January, 2017) - Fresh on the heels of its successful Arizona sale this past weekend, RM Sotheby’s is thrilled to announce the latest feature attraction for its Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance sale, March 10-11: the 1928 Bentley 4½-Litre Le Mans Sports “Bobtail”, chassis no. KM3088. Boasting a phenomenal provenance and race record, the ‘Bobtail’ is one of just two factory team cars to claim podium finishes at two major endurance races in period—a result that cements its status as one of the world’s greatest Bentleys.

Sporting coachwork by Vanden Plas and finished in Napier Green, KM3088 was born for competition. A two-time factory team Le Mans entrant, it competed as part of the Works team at both the 1928 and 1929 events, flying to an impressive 3rd overall in 1929. Just a month earlier, KM3088 established its race pedigree at the 1929 Brooklands Double Twelve, clocking an average 81.39 mph to finish 2nd overall. The car remained with its Works team following the 1929 season where it was used for practice, prior to being sold to its first private owner. Testament to its incredible appeal, it has been cherished by only a very limited chain of collectors over the years, notably spending significant periods of time in single ownership.

KM3088’s first longtime private custodian, Mr. Lauchlan Rose—who, reportedly drove the British giant to work on occasion, an activity that also involved after lunchlaps around the Brooklands circuit—purchased the car in 1930. Other than for a brief period, KM3088 remained with the Rose family through 1971. The ‘Bobtail’ then moved into the custody of respected English collector, Bill Lake, forming part of his esteemed pre-war sports car collection for 33 years, and only sold after he passed.

In recent years, KM3088 has been the recipient of a professional preservation restoration by marque specialists. It will come to Amelia Island complete with a report by noted Bentley Historian Dr. Clare Hay (Est. $6,500,000-$7,500,000).

“We’re thrilled to be presenting this Bentley ‘Bobtail’ at Amelia Island—a proven venue for offering the world’s most important automobiles,” says Gord Duff, Auction Manager, RM Sotheby’s. “A superb motor car in every sense, the ‘Bobtail’ is part of the Bentley legend, rarer than a Bentley Blower, and extremely eligible for countless events and international concours. It’s a terrific addition to our already unprecedented lineup, which also includes a fantastic Ferrari 250 GT SWB and the one-of-three Bugatti Type 57S Cabriolet.”

Among a long list of other recently secured attractions for RM’s Amelia Island sale is a well-known private collection of sporting cars, offered without reserve. Spanning 60 years of automotive design, this group comprises a fascinating mix of show-winning restorations contrasted against well-preserved, all-original cars, and is highlighted by a one-of-two 1956 Maserati A6G/54 Frua Coupe Series III, chassis no. 2181. Dramatic in two-tone red and black with a cream interior, the Frua Coupe was a class winner at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and comes to Amelia in show condition (Est. $1,600,000 – $2,000,000).

The official auction of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale returns to the Ritz-Carlton, March 10-11. The sale has been extended to two days in 2017 with the previously announced ‘A Gentleman’s Collection: The Pride and Passion of Orin Smith’ to be offered largely without reserve during an exclusive evening auction on March 10. RM Sotheby’s traditional Amelia Island day sale, featuring the Bentley ‘Bobtail’ and the private sports car collection highlighted above, will be held March 11.

We have recently been instructed to offer the highly desirable UK registration number - ‘7R’ - for sale via Formal Tender.

The opportunity to submit a sealed bid for ‘7R’ is only being made available to H&H clients. If you are interested in participating in the Tender process then we would ask that you:

Contact the H&H Head Office to request a Tender Documents Pack

Upon receiving these documents in email format, complete and return your maximum bid to james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk before 5pm on February 10th - quoting the reference number PvT250 in all communication and correspondence

H&H will then contact the successful bidder before 12pm on Monday 13th February.

The vendor is seeking offers in excess of £100,000 (ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUDS STERLING) for this extremely rare registration plate.